Pastrix The cranky, beautiful faith of a sinner & saint

Bolz-Weber, the Lutheran pastor of Denver's House for All Sinners and Saints, takes readers on the engaging and accessible journey with those she meets in bars, church conferences, at her local diner, and through breaking news of such events as Hurricane Katrina. As a recovered alcoholic and heavily tattooed with the story of her own foibles and faith, Bolz-Weber is clear-eyed about the personal travails faced by the marginalized and those without faith. Each chapter combines her own painful insights as well as celebratory descriptions of how she learns to overcome spiritual roadblocks. Consequently, the collection offers an excellent opportunity for readers who doubt in themselves, in God, and in their fellow humans to reconsider how their own closed minds may be the one thing they need to change for a better, more stable outlook. A fine and useful meditation on the constant need to doubt, accept, and grow spiritually.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist

Bolz-Weber (Salvation on the Small Screen?) has such a distinctive voice and outlook, it's amazing she hasn't written more books. Perhaps it's because she's been too busy living the checkered and fascinating life that is the subject of her theological memoir. She was a standup comic and an alcoholic before getting sober and becoming a Lutheran pastor and founder of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver. Bolz-Weber narrates that transformation, larding her story with theology and plenty of truck-driver language. She's honest about her past and her present: it's easy to love tattooed transgender hipsters but not so easy to welcome suburban spiritual seekers. Cranky is a fair self-description, but Bolz-Weber's sardonic humor (her blog is called Sarcastic Lutheran) covers many sins. Here's hoping her authentic voice continues to preach in more books. Agent: Greg Daniel, Daniel Literary Group. (Sept.10) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.